How to Find High-Quailty Clothing

by Sandy Longman of Curvy Fashion Clothing ( 12-Oct-2009 )

There are several good ways to distinguish high-quality from low-quality clothing. Some of these ways include knowing the materials from which they're made, and how to identify certain markers of poorly made versus well made clothing. Fabrics While there are hundreds of blends of fabrics that can go into clothing, you need to be aware which materials are more durable. The more durable the material, the longer it will last and keep its shape. Cotton is of course the most commonly used fabric in clothing, and is generally a high-quality product. However, cotton is not a very strong material, so it can stretch or shrink very easily. So for cotton clothing that will last longer, it's best to find one with at least 10% of synthetic fiber blended in. Fibers such as nylon and rayon are known for their durability, and microfiber adds more softness to the cotton and holds the shape well. Another popular material in clothing is wool, especially for wear in colder climates. Poorly fabricated wool, however, can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable, so make sure to look for cashmere fabric, or even wool with a slight polyester or microfiber blend. This will keep you comfortable, and add to your clothing's lifetime. If you are more fashion-focused, and don't consider high-quality to be long-lasting, but rather simply fashionable, you might want to stick with 100% natural fabrics, especially for going-out and fancier attire. For those you will want to stick with linen and silks, and even 100% cotton if you want something that is easier to clean.   Poorly Made Clothing It's pretty easy to spot poorly made clothing, even while just browsing in a department store. If you see any missing or just loose buttons or zippers, you know that item is not well-made. If it can't last through people trying it on every once and while, how long will it last with you consistently washing and wearing it? Also, if you see hems that are curled up, you know that the quality of the fabric must not be good—they haven't even been washed yet! Also be on the lookout for frayed edges and any uneven seems or hems. This indicates carelessness on the end of the manufacturer—this is not a high-quality product. Well Made Clothing I can't tell you how many times I've gone into a dressing room and have the zipper of the item I'm trying on get stuck in the fabric. If the clothing is high-quality, the zipper will be properly designed and won't get stuck.  If there's a jacket or sweater with a lining that you're trying on, the lining will fit well in the clothing, with no little bits sticking out or being uncomfortable. And of course, well-made clothing will probably be made out of the fabrics I discussed. Buying High-Quality Clothing Everyone thinks that high-quality clothing is too expensive. This is not always the case. There are many options to get cheaper high-quality clothing, from simply shopping the sales to going to second hand stores to shopping online. All these can save you money.Another problem that people, particularly women, have, is finding clothes that fit well to their curves. It can be particularly hard to find high-quality and trendy plus size clothing. However, specialty stores such as Lane Bryant offer fashionable plus size denim jeans, skirts and tops. And they are even easier to find online! Finding an online store that offers plus size clothing from different companies will also get you a better deal and save you money! No matter your size or budget, high-quality clothes are easy enough to find—now you know what to look for!